Abhiroop Das
Helmed by Emma Bucht and Susanne Thorson, Netflix’s ‘Diary of a Ditched Girl’ is a Swedish show that chronicles Amanda’s tumultuous relationship with love itself. The original title, ‘Halva Malmö består av killar som dumpat mig,’ which translates to ‘Half of Malmö’s Men Have Dumped Me,’ effectively sums up the protagonist’s central dilemma. As Amanda hops between different romantic partners, each bringing along with them their own pros and cons, she realizes that she might not always get her heart’s desire. Nonetheless, she strives forward, taking on every rejection like a champ until the mental toil becomes too much. Amanda is not alone in this crisis, as all of her near and dear ones have their own burdens to deal with, all boiling down to questions of human emotions. As such, this romance drama brings comedy and tragedy on one platter to show how the quest for love can be as demanding and rewarding as love itself.
Diary of a Ditched Girl is a Dramatization of Writer Amanda Romare’s Real Experiences
‘Diary of a Ditched Girl’ is an adaptation of the eponymous novel by Amanda Romare, brought to screen by Moa Herngren and Tove Eriksen Hillblom. The book itself is inspired by Romare’s love life and intense experiences with dating. In an interview with Aftonbladet, the author revealed that she struggled as a single person for twelve years, and all of her dating ultimately ended with failure. From there, she went on to describe the challenge of writing a story when one feels hateful towards oneself. However, Romare summarily described the process as revolutionary on a personal level. Previously, she had stated that the book was semi-fictional on the dot, but over time, the author changed her stance and claimed that about 90% of the narrative is rooted in her lived experiences. This gives the events that unfold both in the book and on screen a deeply emotional touch, while also making them potently relatable.
The show’s protagonist is named Amanda, taking after the author whose life models the on-screen adaptation to a great extent. The narrative structure is defined by Amanda’s brief stints at romance with a number of people, many of whom are given a nickname, such as “The Neighbor” or “The Bartender.” The author has clarified that some of these monikers, along with the context behind them, have been borrowed from real life. In her conversation, Romare explained that many of the people who became inspirations for her novel’s characters are still in her life, which makes things uniquely exciting and difficult at the same time. Thus, while ‘Diary of a Ditched Girl’ fictionalizes some of its elements, the larger chunks are still partially based on real life, which in turn makes the show a lens through which the world can be viewed from a new perspective.
While Amanda Romare is intimately familiar with the core story of this dramedy, having penned its original rendition, she still had her share of doubts about actually watching it. She explained the nuances that are involved in a different set of creators adapting her work, and by extension, her semi-autobiographical protagonist. Given that the portrayal is bound to have some distance from her real life, the writer feared that she would have to confront the darker ends of Amanda. However, by episode one, her perspective on the show changed, as she got a renewed sense of appreciation for Amanda’s complex psychology. Romare remarked that, at the heart of things, Amanda is simply a character looking for love, and that each rejection shapes a part of her identity. As such, the differences between the author’s life and how it is brought to paper, and then to screen, tell a story of their own.
Diary of a Ditched Girl Finds Additional Depth Through the Actors
Actor Carla Sehn, who essays the role of Amanda, spoke to Damernas Varld about the proximity between her and the character. She stated that while she leads a very different life compared to her character, they are kindred spirits when perceived as a part of the larger society. Sehn further emphasized that while social pressure can easily drive anyone into a downward spiral, she, much like Amanda, likes to lead a life of confidence. However, this doesn’t mean that Amanda has her life figured out, as much of the show is devoted to unravelling her psyche and bringing out the multitude of concerns she has. Sehn took on a unique approach to her performance, focusing purely on the book’s protagonist, rather than the person it is moulded after. She explained that she did this to avoid creating something closer to a biopic. Instead, Sehn’s work on the show gives it a layer of creative authencity, adding more zest to Amanda’s life and thoughts.
While the creative team made a conscious effort to let the art speak for itself, Amanda Romare, along with her sister, Adina, nonetheless found a strong bond with their on-screen analogues. The duo extended the bond of sisterhood to actors Carla Sehn and Moah Madsen, and the four of them became really close friends. Still, the author maintained the necessity of letting the actors and screenwriters carve out the characters for themselves, and a perfect balance was found between their real-life dynamic and how it informed the siblings as depicted in the show. In doing so, the actors found an organic connection to the characters and naturally began to tap into the finer details. This development even surprised Romare; she exclaimed her surprise at Sehn recreating the writer’s walking style and other mannerisms. Thus, while the show is partially based on a real-life account, it reaches the finish line through a rigorous creative process.
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